Check-writer.



i E. H.CUMPST0N,1R.

CHECK WRITER.

3 SHEETS-SHEET no Patented Jan. 8, 1918.

INVENTOR.

E. H. CUMPSTON, JR.

CHECK WRITER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY?. 19H.

Patented 63111. 8, 1918.

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L'VENTOR.

E. H. CUMPSTON, JR.

CHECK WRITER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7| 191?.

Patented Jan. 8,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

[NI/EN TOR.

UNITED STATES ANT FFXO.

EDWARD H. CUMPSTON, JR., 0F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 TODD PROTECTO- GRAPH COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER. NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CHECK-WRITER.

Application filed May 7. 1917.

To all whom it may concern Be it'. known" that 1 Enwivun H. CUMrsToN,

y Jr.. of Rochester. in the county ot Monroe and State ot' New York. have invented certain new and uset'ul Improvements in Cheekil'i'it'ti's; and l do hereby declare the following' to be a full, clear, and exact description ot' the saine, such as will enable any person skilled in the art. to which the invention appertains to make and use the saine.

The present invention relates to printing;- apparatus, and more particularly, to printine' machines of the variety having a plurality ot' separate type forms adapted to le selectively employed to compose and"print various desired combinations of characters, or legends.'

One object of the invention is to provide a machine ot' the class described suitable tor printing a range of legends. such. for instance. as n'ionetary values. and so arranged that any desired legend. having once been selected, may be impressed on the work. as often as desired, with but a single printing operation for each impression.

Another object. to provide. a simple and convenient. machine ot this character havingy available a plurality ot type toi-nis ot various lengths adapted to be selectively combined for printing` a series ot legends. with arrangements tor impressing a selected legend upon the work by a .single printing operation in such manner that the several characters ot the legend will be printed in line with a small. uniform spacing distance between the adjacent words` or characters.

Another object is to provide such a niachine in which the t vpe forms required for printing a legend may be conveniently assembled in .line in printingposition with various spaces between them, but printed in line on the work with small. equal spacing distances between adjacent words or characters.

These. and other objects and advantages will more fully appear trom the t'ollowinp; detailed description ot one embodiment of the ii'lvention. selected for purpose otl illustration. and shown in the accompanying dra wings. in which- Figure l is a t'ront elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation trom the front of the machine, partly in section or Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 8, 15H8.

Serial No. 166,998.

the line i-2 in Fig. 3 and partly broken away.

Fia'. is a sectional elevation on the line S- in Fig'.

Fia'. -t is an end elevation ol the machine.

Fig. .3 is a top plan view ot' the base Dortion ot' the machine. partly broken awav. showingv the printing` bed and accessories.

Fig. t is a top plan view, partly broken away. ot the reciprocating work support and related parts.

Fie'. i' is a rear elevation of the saine. partly in section and partly broken away.

Fig. S is a front elevation of the same with parts broken away.

Fig'. f) is a top plan view 'ot thel presser foot and stripping plate for the work.

Fig'. l0 is a top plan View of the cam for controlling' the presser toot, taken on the line 10-10 in Fig. 3.

Fie'. 11 .illustrates an impression made by the machine.

In its present torni the invention is embodied in 5. machine having an inclosing and supporting casingr tor the operating parts composed ot' a lower base portion l5 and an upper portion lt. these portions of the casing' being partially separated by a work receiving' slot 17. formed in the casingI above the work bed 1S supported by the base portion ot' the. casing.

The type forms are larried in the upper and ovm-hanging! portion 1G ot the casing, to which end there is preferably provided Va shaft 19 tixedly supported at its ends in the end walls ot the casing. Rotatably supported on this shaft are a plurality of hubs 20 (Figs. 2 and 3l. each havingY fixed thereon a tvpe supportincr sector 21Y having dis` posed on its` periphery a plurality of type forms These forms extend parallel with each other and with the shaft it). and are paced from each other circumterentially ot the type support Q1, so that by the rota tion ot the type support on the shaft 19, the forms may be brought selectively and individually to a common printing line above the work bed 18.

For bringing the type forms selectively to printing position. each hub Q0 has fixed thereon a radial arm 23. which extends through a slot 24- (Fig. ll formed in the upper forward portion of the casing. Each arm 23 is provided with a convenient handle 25 and also with an index or pointer 26 adapted, during the movement of handle 25, to be brought into registry with a plurality of characters or symbols marked on a dial 27 adjacent thereto. Each of these characters on the dial corresponds with one of the type forms on the respective type support, and the dial characters and type forms are so arranged that when the index Q6 is brought into registry with a character on the dial, the corresponding type form is brought to printing position.

To retain the selected type forms in printing position, there is provided Jtor each type support a spring arm 27 xed to the casing and serving as a detent for engagement with a series of notches 28 formed in a sector fixed to the type support, the notches being so arranged that when the type support is moved to place a type form in printing position, the detent is centered in a corresponding notch in the sectorthus serving not only to hold the type form in adjusted position, but to accurately center it in such position.

Any number of such type supports may be provided, there being seven in the present instance, and these supports may be provided with any system of type which are suitable for selective combination to print a desired series of legends. In the present instance the machine is employed for printing amounts on commercial paper, such as checks, drat'ts and the like, and preferably for printing such amounts in words rather than figures. Each tj pe support therefore is provided with a series ot' words expressing the numbers indicated by the ligures shown on the respective dials, and by selective movement of the type supports, suitable words for printing` any desired amount or monetary value within certain limits may be assembled in line with each other in printing position above the work bed. These words, of course, are ot' varying length, as, for instance, the words six and eighteem as illustrated in Fig. 1l, and therefore the type forms brought to the common printing line are separated by various spacing distances in the direction o't the line, as may be seen by reference to Fig. 1 where the type forms may be seen through the work receiving slot. ln the impression made upon the work, however, the words printed by these type forms are properly separated from each other b v a small uniform spacing distance, as shown in Fig. ll, by a means and for a purpose later to be described.

The means for pressing the work against the type, and other related parts. are located in the base portion of the casing and will now be described. The work b"d 1S has formed therein an elongated' opening '29 (Figs. 2 and 5), in which is adapted to move a reciprocating work support 30, preferably comprising a trame having a flat work receiving plate 31 Hush with the work bed 18 and substantially of the width of the slot 29 in which it moves. The work bed 18 is provided at the sides ot' slot 29 with fianges (Fig. 3), serving to guide the work support 30. rl`he work receiving plate 3l has depending therefrom ends 33, formed with openings 3, in which are lixed the ends of a pair of sleeves 35 slidably supported on a pair of guide rods 3G extending longitudinally of the machine and tixed at their ends in the walls ot' the casing, thusI providing bearings on which the work support may be reciprocatcd from end to end ot' the machine with the work receiving plate 3l moving lengthwise of the slot 25) in the work bed.

The platen comprises preferably a relatively small roller 87 having trunnions rotatably carried in the ends oi a pairof arms 38 fixed on a sleeve 39 pinned on the shaft 40, which is journaled for rocking movement in flanges 4l depending from the front and rear of the work receiving plate 31. The arms 38 are extended on the opposite side ot sleeve 39 and have rotatably carried thereby an inking roller 4Q. Shaft 40 is extended through an elongated slot in the t'ront of the casing where it is provided with a Convenient operating handle #L3 rotatablv carried on the end of the shaft, by means of which handle a reciprocating .movement may be imparted to the work support 30.

During the reciprocating movement ot' the work support the platen and inking roll are adapted to be alternately raised through openings 4l and #l5 respectively provided in the plate 3l, this alternate raisingr of theV platen and inking roller being brought about bv a suitable rocking movement of the shaft 40, so that in one direction of movement of the work support the platen is raised against the underside ot the work to press the latter against the type 'torms above by rolling printing contact, while in the other direction of movement ot" the work support the platen is retracted and the inking roller is raised to ink the type.

The rocking movement of ,shat't 40 is preferably etiiected by a device comprising a pair ot arms lli fixed on a hub 47 pinned to the shaft 40 inst inside the Jfront wall ot the casing. ln the outer ends ot the arms 4G is rotatably carried a roller cam follower 48 adaptefl to move during` the reciprocation ot' the work support in a series orn guidewavs or channels, indicated `generally at 49 (Fig. 2l, such channels being formed by cam plates 5f) projecting inwardly trom a plate 5l fixed to the front wall ot the casing. These guide-ways i9 comprise preferably neutral channels 52 and 53 at the ends thereof, with which neutral channels communicate upper and lower channels 54 and 55 respectively. At the left end ofthe upper channel 54 (Fig. 2) is a switch 56 pivotally supported on a fixed bearing 57 and having an upwardly extending arm 58 to which is attached one end of a spring 59 having its other end fixed at 60 to the casing. Spring 59 normally holds switch 56 yieldably in lower position.

When the work support is at the left extremity of its movement (Fig. 2) roller 48 is in the neutral ehannel 52 in the position indicated by dotted lines. In this position the arms carrying the platen and ink roll are in the n utral or intermediate position so that neither of these members is in operative position. Movement ofthe work support toward the right carries roller 48 into engagement with switch 56, by means of which it is elevated into the upper channel 54. thereby lowering the inking roll and raising the platen to ope ative position, these parts being so arrangedlithat the platen is raised to operative position just prior to reaching the beginning of the first type form. As movement of the work support is continued toward the right, the platen lpresses the work against the type until roller 48 is carried by the formation of the channels into the neutral chzpmel 53 on the right, thereby lowering the platen just as it passes out of contactwith the last type form. lVhile the roller is in channel 53, both the inking roll and platen are again brought to inoperative position. d Movement of the Work support toward the left carries roller 48 into the lower channel 55, thereby lowering the platen and raising the ink roll to position for rolling inking contact with the l printing line of type, which operation continues until roller 48, raising switch 56. rides up into neutral channel 52, thereby placing the inking roll and platen in inoperative position. The operation of the above parts is designed for the insertion of the work above the platen on the work receiving plate 3l when the work support is at the left extremity of itgfmovement, and for the subsequent movement of the work support toward the right to print the work. which is moved with the platen and the plate 31 until the work support reaches the right extremity of its movement, when the withdrawal of the platen allows the removal of the work, a

subsequent movement of the work support toward the left serving to ink the type in the manner described until the left extremity of the movement is reached when the parts are in position to receive a new piece of work.

Means for supplying ink to the inking roller are provided comprising preferably an ink container or pad G1` carried in a channel or trough 62 extending longitudinally of the machine and supported on a plate 63 supported at its ends by engagement with the guide rods 36. The arrangement of this inking pad is such that when the inking roller is moved to its lowermost position during the movement of the work support toward the right. it will engage in rolling contact with the inking pad and receive ink therefrom.

Means for retaining the work on the receiving plate 31 and for feeding the Work during the movement of the latter, are provided comprising preferably a spring arm 64 extending forwardly above the work receiving plate and provided with a presser foot 65 formed in the forward end of said arm and adapted to press the work against the receiving plate to frictionally hold it in place thereon. Arm 64 is further provided at its forward end with a stripper plate 66 comprising substantially a rectangular plate having an opening G7 therein adapted to permit the work to be raised therethrough by the platen for contact with the type. The stripper plate serves to prevent contact of the work with the type forms above, except under the action of the platen at the printing line and also to strip the work from the type immediately in rear of the platen during the movement of the latter.

Arm 64, as shown in Fig. 3, extends horizontally forward in the work receiving slot from a member G8 pivotally supported-at 69 at the rear end of an arm 70 extending rearwardly from a substantially U-shaped member 71 having fianges 72 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the bottom of the work receiving plate 31, member T1 embracing the platen supporting mechanism with openings in said member loosely receiving the shaft 40. The lower end of member 68 has a channel shaped portion fitting slidably but snugly in a cam slot 73 formed in the plate 74 fixed on the casing. These parts are so constructed and arranged that the shape of the cam slot serves to hold the presser foot raised when the work support is in starting position, permitting the insertion of the work but upon printing movement of the work support the presser foot is lowered into engagement with the work. During such printing movement the pressen foot is held in position to bear frictionally upon the-work and when the platen has moved out ot' contact with the last type form the presser foot is again raised to per mit. the removal of the work.

The. presser foot serves to retain the work on the receiving plate 31 of the work support so that the movement of the latter moves the work along the printing line. lVhen the platen nieves into contact with the first type form, the engagement of the work between these parts holds the work stationary against the type, and presser foot 65 serves to permit relative movement of the work and the work support, the work slipping over the receiving plate as the work support continues to move toward the right. (Fig. 2). As pointed ottt above. the type formsl are assembled in the printing line with gaps or intervals of varying length between adjacent words or characters. ow` ing to the varying lengths of the. type forms and the manner in which they are supported. As the platen passes these intervals in the printing litio the work is released from the type, and the frictional engagement of the presser foot with the work serves to pick up the latter again and carry it along with thev work support until a subsequent type ferm is encountered by the platen, when the work is again held stationary in contact with the type until the platen encounters another interval or the end of the printing line. The stripper plate G8 clears the work from adherence to the type closely in rear of the platen to facilitate the action of the presser foot. In this manner each of the separate type forms in the printing line is impressed on the Work by a rolling printing action of the platen, and the work itself is moved to compensate for the varying intervals in the printing line, the adjacent words or charrct'ers t i' the impression on the work being separated from each other by a umt'orm spacing distance, as illustrated in rtg, 11.

Theprinting surfaces of the type and platen may be corrugated as indicated in connection with the platen in Figs. 8 and G and in the impression in Fig. 11. so that they emboss or disrupt the fibers of the paper during the printing impression in order that the paper may readily absorb the ink to increase the difficulty of erasing the impression. A. construction suitable for this purpose is disclosed in the patent to Todd and Tiefel, No. 1,138,330, so that further description thereof herein is unnecessary.

A paper gaging and guiding device is provided in a bar 'T5 resting on the work bed 18 at the rear of the work receiving slot and having at its ends depending flanges T6 extending parallel with and in proximity to the ends of the base portion ot' the casing. Fanges 7G are provided with elongated openings TT embracing clamping screws TS and 79, by means of which bar T5 may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly on the work bed and clamped in position suitable for receiving and guiding various sizes of work.

The operatit n of the machine will be clear after a brief explanation in connection with l the above description of its construction.

The type for printing the desired legends' having been brought to printing position by the selective manipulation of the handle 25, the gage T5 having been adjusted to suit the size of the work to be printed. and the work support having been moved toward the left by means of the operating handle i3, the work is inserted in the slot provided therefor, under the presser foot which is now in raised position` with the rear edge ol"l the work against the gage and the point at which the impression is desired to begin over the platen. Handle fl?) is then tnoved all the way to the right, thereby releasing the presser Jfoot to hold the work which is carried toward the right with the work support and impressed with the type b v a rolling printing action of the platen. The yielding means provided in thel presser toet lor retaining the work on its support permits the work to be. ted over itsl support while it is being pressed by the platen against the type but serves to tnove the work with its support when the platen i-: out, ot' contact with the type. as when passing intervals in the printing line. t'or the purpose of impressing the selected typi` 'l'ortns on the work in alinement'I with each other and with a small uniform spacing distance between adjacent words. When the handle 'lreaches the right extremity of its movement. the presser foot is automatically raised and the work may be withdrawn. llandle 1.2i is then moved to the left. during which movement the inking roll rises and inks the type and falls again when the work lsupport reaches the left hand positionaready to receive a new piece of wtrk. During each printing movement the inking roll comes in contact with its supply pad and obtains ink therefrom.

lt will therefore be seen that the entire legend is impressed on the work by a singltl printing operation of the operating handle and that the various type lorms composing the desired legend, having once been selected. may be printed as many times in succession as desired with but a single printingr operation for each impression, the type forms being automatically inked between the impressions.

Having thus described tn v invention. what l claim as new, and desire to secure by lietters Patent isz*- 1. rThe combination with a type support and a line of type thereon: ol' a rotary platen adapted to be rolled along said line of type to press the work thereagainst; a werk .support movable with said platen along the litio of type; and work retaining means adapted to hold the work against movement relative to said work .support while the platen is out ot1 eontatt with the type. bttt to permit movement of thtI work relative to said work support while the work is held in engagement with the type by the pressure of the platen.

2. The combination with a type support and a line of type thereon; of a rotary platen adapted to be rolled along said line of type to press the work thereagainst; a Work support movable with said platen ltltl llt) along the line of type; and a presser member trietionally engaging the work to retain the latter against movementv relative to .said work support while the platen is ont ot eontaet with the. type, but to permit movement of the work relative to said work support while the 'work is held in engagtment with the type by the pressureof the platen.

3. 'lhe combination witlra type support and a line ot' type thereon; of a rotary platen adapted to be rolled along said line of type topress the work thereagainst; a work supporting bedv movable with said platen along the line ot type; work retaining moins 't'or said work bed adapte-.i to hold the work against. movement relative to said work bed whilethe platen is out of eontaei. with the type and to permit movement ot' the work relative to said work bed while the work is held in engagement. with the type by the pressure of the platen; and automatic actuating means for said work retaining means for rendering the latter operative during the printing movement ot' the work bed, but inoperative at predetermined points in said movement torpermit insertion Y and removal el the work.

1t. The combination with ,a type support and a line ol' type thereon; of a work sup port movable longitudinally ot' said line ot type, and carrying a rotary platen adapted to be rolled alongl the'line of type to press the work thereagainst and carrying also a work retaining means adapted to hold the work against movement relative to the work Support while the type and platen are out of eontaet but to permit movement of the work relative to the work support while the work is held in engagement. with the type by the platen.

5. The combination with a type support and a line of type thereon, ot' a movable support for the work for moving the latter longitudinallyY ot' said line; and a rotary platen movable with said support for rolling. printing engagement with said line of type to etleet an impression of the latter, on the work.

C. The combination with a type support, and a line o1 type thereon; of a work support movable longitudinally of said line of type for ell'eeting a corresponding movement of the work; a rotary platen movable with said work support to press the work against the line oi type by. a rolling, printing eontaet. therewith: and platen aetnating means for moving the platen to operative position at the commencement of thtI impression and to inoperative position at the termination oiE the in'ipi'ession.

7. The Combination with a type support, anda line of type thereon; ot a support adapted to carry the'work and movable in either direetion longitudinally ot' said line ot' type; a rotary platen movable with said work support, to press the work against the nected therewith a rotary platen, an inking roll, and a yieldable work retaining means, saidL wor-l; support being movable in one direetion to etl'eet an impression of the type on the work by rolling, printing` Contact of the platen therewith, and also to i'eed the work, and being movable in the other direetion to etieet. a eontaet ot' the'inking roll with the type to ink the latter.

t). 'lhe eombination with a type support, and a linev of type thereon; of a work support movable in either diret-tion longitudinally of said line of type; a rotary platen carried by said work support and adapted during movement of the latter in one direet'ion to press the work against the type by a rolling. printing eontaet; an inking roller carried by said .support and adapted to ink the'type during mo\ ena-nt ol" said work support in the opposite direction; work retaining l'neans t'or vsldabiy retaining the work on its support and permitting movement relative thereto while the work is heid in engagement with the type b,\' the platen; and operating means for moving said work sul'iport and tor moving said platen and ink roller alternately to operative position.

l0. rl`he et mbination with a type support, and a plurality ot' type in alinement with and spaced from each other on said support; of a rotary platen having a rolling n1ovement along said line ol type to press the work .thereagainst; and work feeding means adapted to `feed the work along said line ot' type during said movement ot' the platen while the platen is out ol Contact with the type and to diseontinue said `leedin, r movement while the work is held impressed against the type by said platen.

il. 'the combination with a type support, and a plurality of type in alinement with and spared from eaeh other on said support: ot a rotary platen having a rolling movement along said line ot' type to press the work thereagainst; and work feeding moaim movable alongl the line ot' .type with th,l platen. and adapted to feed the work as the platen passes a space in .said line of type.A and to permit the work'to be held stationary in engagement; with the type during the impressing eontaet of the platen with the type.

1'2. rl`he Combiiiation with a type support, and a plurality of type in alinement with and spaced from each other on said support; of a rotary platen having a rolling movement along said line of type to press the ivork thereagainst; and a work support movable with said platen, including a yieldable Work holding means for moving the work with its support along said line of type vvhile the platen passes a space 1n said line, and for permitting the Work to remain stationary in engagement. with the type and to move over its support during the impressing contact of the platen with the type.

13. The combination with a type support, and a plurality of type in alinement with and spaced from each other en said support; of a rotary platen having a rolling movement along said line ot type to press the work thereagainst; Work feeding means adapted to feed the vvork along said line of type during said movement ot' the platen, While the platen is out of contact with the type, and to permit the .vorl; to remain stationary in engagement with the type during the impressing contact of the platen with the type; and work stripping means for separating the Work from the type subsequently to the impression.

14. The combination With a plurality of type carriers, each provided with a plurality of type of varying length and movable to bring said type selectively to a common printing line; of a rotary platen having a rolling impressing movement along said line of type to print the latter; and Work feeding means adapted to move the Work along said line of type With the platen While the latter passes an interval between adjacent type, and to permit the Work to remain stationary in engagement with the type dur'- ing the impressing contact of the platen with the type.

15. The combination with a plurality of type carriers, each provided with a plurality of typex of varying length and movable to v`rvbring said type selectively to a common printing line; of a rotarv platen having a rolling impressing movement along said line of type to print the latter; work feeding means adapted to move the ivork along said line of type with the platen ivliile the latter passes an interval between adjacent type and to permit the work to remain stationary' in engagement with the type during the impressing contact of the platen with tno type; and inlring means for applying ink to the type 16. The combination with a plurality of type carriers, 'each provided with a plurality of type of varying length and movable to bring said type selectively to a common printing line; of a reciprocating device 1ncluding a rotary platen, an inlting roll7 and a yieldable vvorlr holding means ytending to move the Work with said reciprocating device but adapted to release the work while the latter is held in engagement with the type by the platen; and actuating means for moving the platen to position for rolling printing contact with said line of type when said reciprocating device is moved 4in one direction, and for moving the inking roll to position for rolling inking contact with the type when said reciprocating device is moved in the opposite direction.

17. The combination with a plurality ot' type carriers, each provided with a plurality of type of varying length and movabie to bring said type selectively' to a common printing line; of a reciprocating device incllrding a rotary platen, an inlring roller, and 'a yieldable work holding means; an ink supplying member; and actuating means for moving the platen to position for rolling printing cont-act with the type, and the. inking roller to position for rolling contact with said inking member, when said reciprocating device is moved in one direction.l and also for moving said platen to inoperative position and said inlring roller to rolling inlring contact with the type when said reciprocating device is moved in the opposite direction.

EDXVARD H. CUMPSTONn Jn.

Vitnesscs:

MAGNUs H. JoHAxsoN, EDNA K. BOOTH. 

